Customer Reviews

Making Elegant Custom Tables

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This book is good but not great. The author simply builds 9 different tables. There is no discussion regarding how to manage wracking forces, no discussion on appropriate sizes (how big should a dining table be to seat eight?) or heights (how tall should a dining table be, how much clearance under the top should be allowed for legs?). There is no discussion of coffee tables or side tables.

The tables are fairly straight forward and most intermediate woodworkers would feel confident attempting any of these. So, consequently, the style of all of the tables is rather mainstream--none of the tables are remarkable or exceptionally beautiful. The designs are generally angular/orthoganal, some of them very much so.

There are a lot of photos of the construction process, about 30 for each table. In addition to the 9 pieces shown in detail, there are photos of six other tables.

I suggest that you be more careful than the author. There are several operations that are much too risky. For example, before inlaying stringing on the glass-topped conference table, the author cuts a small bevel on the router table on a piece that is 3/8" square. His fingers are a quarter inch from the router bit! Definitely not OSHA approved. I suggest you build a sled to hold the workpiece.

Also, his tenoning jig has no way to attach the workpiece to it. All of the commercial tenoning jigs have a way to attach the workpiece, which is much safer. Holding a 40" tall table apron against a sliding jig is a recipe for kickback.

Technically sufficient, however, for inspiration purposes it is sorely lacking. Take a sneak peek before making a purchase to be sure you will get some benefit from the content.